Another amateur has taken down a World Series of Poker event this year. Thomas Reynolds, an accountant from Raleigh, North Carolina, won his first WSOP bracelet today in the $1,000 No Limit Hold’em event. The 62-year-old amateur survived yet another massive WSOP field of 2,020 entrants, as well as a final table that included three poker pros, to earn first prize of $292,880. Although Reynolds did cash in two WSOP Circuit events, this is his first ever in-the-money finish at a WSOP event.
Reynolds was in a long and exhausting heads-up battle with James Hughes where both players admitted to getting tired towards the end. They played a total of 109 hands that lasted over 3 hours. The board was 8c 7d 4c 3d and Reynolds led out for 900,000. Hughes shipped it for 2,780,000 with 99 and Reynolds called with a combo draw, tabling Jd 6d. The river came a 2d giving Reynolds a flush and the victory.
It feels kind of unreal to tell you the truth. It’s something that I’ve wanted to try and do. I love playing poker and my wife is very understanding. So, she lets me come and play. I told her I don’t know how many years I have left, but I wanted to try and do it. I played the right cards and didn’t get into too many tough spots. And I’m glad I didn’t know there were that many pros. It probably would’ve put more pressure on me. I knew the guys were good, though.”
Thomas Reynolds also has three sons in his hometown of Raleigh and considers himself a family man and a big fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels (where his middle son attends college). Between the time he spends at his day job and the time spent with his wife and sons, it hasn’t left much time for playing poker. Nevertheless, Reynolds still chased his dream of one day becoming a WSOP champion. Now that he’s realized that dream (and a six-figure score to go with it), he now has a new dream – the WSOP Main Event.
I’m going to stay for a little while, but then I have to go back for a wedding and a holiday with the family. But I’m going to try and come back for the Main Event. Now that I’ve paid my way in. I hope you get to interview me again.”
